We have three laptops that connect wirelessly to the internet. One of the Dell's stopped connecting a couple days ago.

On the bottom right icon box, it says there are no connections available. However, when I go to the 'manage wireless connections' page, I can see the correct network. Once there, I can only look at the properties of the network, but not connect to it. Am I missing something really basic? Do I need to re-install from disk? The other two computers are working fine but I have little clue what to do for this one.

Thanks in advance as I know you Ws will show me something really simple to fix this!

Check the wireless radio button on the laptop (its either a toggle switch on one side of the laptop somewhere, a button around the keyboard, or a function (Fn) on one of the keyboard keys). Look for the symbol of an antenna radiating waves.

If that is on, go into the windows network properties and see if you can switch whether windows is supposed to be controlling your wireless.

Originally posted by EddieBurkettIs it showing signal strength for the network when you can see it? Check the wireless radio button on the laptop (its either a toggle switch on one side of the laptop somewhere, a button around the keyboard, or a function (Fn) on one of the keyboard keys). Look for the symbol of an antenna radiating waves

If that is on, go into the windows network properties and see if you can switch whether windows is supposed to be controlling your wireless.

It's possible that it was undone by some Windows updates. Sometimes the updates will update drivers and that might mess with your wireless.

If no other changes have been made to the laptop, you might try reverting to a restore point. That's not as invasive as it seems. Just make sure you don't have any vital programs or files that might be affected if you restore.

My last 3 Dell laptops from work have had this. It's a small slider on the right side near the USB ports normally

Inspiron 5110N

The control F2 doesn't fix the problem either.

If this is the problem, it's not Control F2, but Function F2. Function is the blue lettered button right next to Control.

If you're doing it right, the screen will display a wireless tower (if you've turned it on) or a wireless tower with a no circle (if you've turned it off.) Either way, you should see something on the screen if you've gotten the button combo to work.

No, it's function F2 and the little tower comes on saying that there is wireless. It's down on the tool bar where the signal strength is noted, it says there are no connections to be made. When you go to "manage wireless connections" it is there. Could this have anything to do with that malware crapola they were talking about hitting on Monday?

Originally posted by piemanNo, it's function F2 and the little tower comes on saying that there is wireless. It's down on the tool bar where the signal strength is noted, it says there are no connections to be made. When you go to "manage wireless connections" it is there. Could this have anything to do with that malware crapola they were talking about hitting on Monday?

I considered that, but you reported having the problem before the government shut down the DNS changer servers, so it couldn't be that.

We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy - Swift

9. Under the "General" tab, I clicked on the "Change Settings" box at the bottom of the page

10. On this new page, I clicked on the "Advanced" tab

11. In the "Property" box, I highlighted the" 802.11n Mode." In the box next to this, which is called "Value" I chose the "Disable" function.

12. Click OK at the bottom.

We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.

That the universe was formed by a fortuitous concourse of atoms, I will no more believe than that the accidental jumbling of the alphabet would fall into a most ingenious treatise of philosophy - Swift

I will fully admit to being old and crabby about this... but is there a setting or an add-on for any browser that will keep those little embedded song players from automatically starting when I load a page? Damn kids need to stay off my lawn...